Solar industry news : innogy has broken ground on the 349MW Limondale solar plant at Balranald in New South Wales, which is touted to be the largest solar plant in Australia till date.

BELECTRIC, a subsidiary of innogy, holds the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the Limondale solar plant. The innogy subsidiary will also be responsible for providing operation and maintenance (O&M) services for the solar photovoltaic plant, which is expected to produce enough solar energy to power up to 105,000 homes each year.

The Limondale solar plant is slated to enter into full commercial operations in mid 2020, with its commissioning to be done gradually. Spread over 900 hectares, the Limondale solar project in New South Wales will be equipped with around 872,000 panels.

Commenting on the Limondale solar plant construction, Hans Bunting – COO Renewables of innogy, said: “It makes me proud that we can now start with the construction of our first utility-scale PV plant in Australia – one of the continents with the highest solar irradiation per square meter. To expand renewable energies it is of vital importance that beside the excellent yield the country is supportive for increasing the share of renewable energies.”

innogy begins construction of 349MW Limondale solar plant in New South Wales.

Apart from the Limondale solar plant, innogy had also acquired project rights of the 115MW Hillston solar plant in New South Wales in February 2018. The transfer of the project company to the German energy company is expected to take place end of this year.

Both the Limondale solar project and the Hillston solar project were acquired from Overland Sun Farming.

The combined investment by Innogy for the two solar plants in New South Wales is more than €400 million.

innogy will look into all options about the future ownership and financing structure of the two solar plants in New South Wales so as to maximize value for the company and shareholders.

Owing to its expansion in the Australian market, of innogy has set up a subsidiary named innogy Renewables Australia, which is currently exploring more renewable opportunities including solar, battery storage, offshore and onshore wind within the country.

Thorsten Blanke – CEO of innogy Renewables Australia, said: “Electricity prices in Australia have risen strongly over the past decade and are among the highest in the world. An expansion of renewable energies can contribute towards reducing the energy costs for customers. Especially wind and solar are cost-effective alternatives in a country with excellent natural renewable resources.”

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